CHAPTER X
PATTERNS

Patterns and experimental pieces form one of the most interesting divisions
of numismatics. These pieces exist because it was customary for the mint
to provide samples of any proposed change in coinage such as different design,
denomination, metal or weight for approval or rejection.
Patterns are defined as pieces prepared officially by the mint or by the
authorized agent of a coin-issuing authority which represent a new design,
motto or denomination proposed for adoption as a regular issue, struck in
the specific metal, and which were not adopted, at least in that same year.
Those struck from these dies in other metals are pattern trial pieces.
Experimental pieces include those struck with any convenient die to try
out a new metal or a new denomination. Those struck in the proper metal,
where it is specified, are the experimental pieces and those struck in order
metals are experimental trial pieces.
A regular die trial piece is struck from a regular die in a metal or metals
other than those intended for regular issue. These are usually in soft base
metals such as copper.
Die strikes or die trials are impressions, usually uniface, of an unfinished
or even a completed die in a soft metal to try the die.
A piece de caprice is an unauthorized piece struck for some reason other
than as a pattern, experimental or trial piece. They apparently are struck
solely to satisfy the whim of some collection.

Obverse Reverse

Obverse:

A standing lion looking backward enclosed in a 11-mm diameter circle
surrounded by eight connecting fleurets, each containing Tibetan script.
A bead is placed at the top of the line joining the fleurets. The Tibetan
script reads:

dga'-ldan-pho-bran-phyod-las-rnam-rgyal.

The Ga-den Palace, victorious in alldirections. Beaded border

Reverse:

Tibetan script reading

= Sho-gang = 1 Sho-gang

which is enclosed by a 9.5-mm diameter ring of beads. Between this ring
and the beaded border are five arabesques located at NE, SE, SW, and NW,
alternating with Tibetan script reading:
Rab-byang-15-lo-57Cycle 15-Year 57Beaded border.

Obverse Reverse

Obverse:

The above enclosed in a 14.5-mm diameter circle surrounded by the eight
Buddhist emblems. Starting at 12:00 o'clock and going clockwise: 1. Umbrella
of Sovereignty, 2. The Golden Fishes of Good Luck, 3. The Vase of Ambrosia,
4. The Lotus Flower, 5. The Conch Shell, 6. The Knot of Endless Rebirths,
7. The Banner of Victory, and 8. The Wheel of Law. A ring of beads at rim.

Reverse:

Two vertical arcs joined by loops at 12:00nd 6:00 o'clock with a bead
resulting in a 14-mm diameter circle within which is inscribed Tibetan script
reading:

Tam Srang 20

Between this circle and a ring of beads at the rim Tibetan script is
inscribed reading:

Bertsch remarks that a coin press was supplied to the Tibetan Government
by Taylor & Challen Co., of London in 1923,but speculates that this
pattern probably was produced by the same company. The pattern was never
approved by the Tibetan Government. Ref: Bertsch, W., "A Pattern Struck in Englandfor Tibet",
NI Bulletin, vol. 21, no. 2,pp. 33-35, Feb. 1987.

Obverse Reverse

Obverse:

Lion lying on its haunches to the left, but lion looking forward; bushy
tail:"Whirling Emblem" with scrolls above lion. All enclosed in
a 12-mm diametercircle surrounded by eight connected fleurets, each containing
Tibetan script.A bead is placed above each dividingline between the fleurets.
The Tibetanscript reads:

dga'-ldan-pho-bran-phyogs-las-rnam-rgyal the Ga-den Palace, victorious
in all directions.

Beaded border.

Reverse:

Tibetan script enclosed in a 11.3-mm diameter circle, reading:

= 1 Sho-gang

Tibetan script is inscribed outside thecircle alternating with five eight-petalled
rosettes, followed by aring of beads at rim. The Tibetan scriptreads:

Obverse:

Small size snow lion looking backwards infront of seven mountains. Cumulus
cloudson each side of the mountains. Crescentmoon and sun with rays shown
near the topof the middle mountain. Lion's flames3.4.0.5-9. A circle with
bead and twoscrolls below and in front of the lion.Tibetan script surrounds
the mountain motif with two six-petalled rosettes at3:30 and 8:30 o'clock.
The top Tibetanscript reads:

Reverse:

An ornamental mirror is placed above thelotus flower enclosed by a 16.5-mmdiameter
circle, which is surrounded byTibetan script with two six-petalledrosettes
at 4:00 and 8:00 o'clock.Beaded border.The top Tibetan script reads:

gangs-chos-srid-gnyis-ldan-rab-lo-925 The snow region both religious
and civiladministration in the excellent year 925.

The bottom Tibetan script reads:

spyi-lo1951 Christian Year 1951

Ref: Rhodes notes that the remarkable feature of this coin is
the system of dating. Whereas other Tibetan coins are dated in the 60-cycle
with Year 1 of the first cycle being 1027AD, the date when the 'Kala Chakra
Tantra' was brought to Tibet.This piece is dated in the actual number of
years from that date. In addition, this piece is unique in also being dated
in the Christian era.

Obverse:

Small size snow lion in front of six mountains looking forward. Cumulus
clouds on each side of the high mountain with crescent moon and sun with
rays above Lion's flames 3.2.2.3-7. Very small circle with head and two
scrolls below and in front of lion. Tibetan script inscribed on each side
of the mountains and at the bottom below the lion, reading:

dga-ldan-pho-bran-phyod-las-rnam-rgual The Ga-den Palace, victorious
in all directions.

The bottom script reads: = Srang-lnga = Five Srang. A ring of
arrows at the rim.

Reverse:

An ornamental mirror is placed above the lotus flower enclosed by a 12-mm
diameter circle. Tibetan script is inscribed outside the circle at positions,
north, east, south and west with four eight-petalled rosettes between each
script.

The Tibetan script reads: gangs-cho-srid-gnyis-ldan-rab-lo-927

The snow region, both religious and civil administration in the excellent
year 927. The above enclosed in a ring of arrows at the rim.